E85 Z4 Info

Skilid · 22 Jul 2016 at 16:01

Hi all,

I'm going to be replacing my Mazda 3 MPS with something smaller and more fun. I have previously created a thread regarding who would choose what between a Fiesta ST and a Mini JCW... I have also been considering the MX5 (2009-) but today stumbled across something I've never thought of before.. Z4.

I would be after the facelift E85 3.0, with a manual. I have found a nice one near me with 60k miles for £8.5k. Is this how much I should be budgeting? I hear the engines are pretty reliable and I've always wanted something fun with more than 4 cylinders.

What are peoples thoughts/experiences with them? Road noise with the soft top, comfort, equipment etc

Thanks!

[TW]Fox · 22 Jul 2016 at 16:49

There isn't much that goes massively wrong with them, with the exception of the roof motor.

My parents had one for years - it's fast, it's fun, its reasonably economical for what it is and it's great with the roof down. With the roof up it's a fairly claustrophobic and miserable experience and it isn't particularly refined or that comfortable.

The only major failing with how it drives is the lifeless electric power steering. Genuinely lifeless - I've driven many cars with electric PAS and it's fine but the E85's is particularly bad especially for the type of car it is.

It'd still be my pick for a sub £10k Roadster, though. The Boxster costs loads more to run, the S2000 is a better drivers tool but is hilariously overpriced and the MX5 is much slower.

Skilid · 22 Jul 2016 at 17:10

Thanks. I guess the other consideration is whether to go Coupe or not.

Is the roof up experience really that bad? My MPS has terrible tyre and wind noise on the motorway. I love the idea of a convertible, but if the Coupe is a considerably better experience then it might be a better choice, especially with the fact that we live in the UK...

[TW]Fox · 22 Jul 2016 at 17:17

Lots of people are fans of the coupe but I've never really seen the point - if you are going Z4, go for a convertible. If you want a coupe, get something else - E92's are better and similar money.

Sounds like you need to take it for a test drive. Everyone has different preferences. I find it unrefined and irritating with the roof up, and fun with it down. But then I normally drive a 5 Series..

Skilid · 22 Jul 2016 at 18:51

[TW]Fox;29815745 said:
Lots of people are fans of the coupe but I've never really seen the point - if you are going Z4, go for a convertible. If you want a coupe, get something else - E92's are better and similar money.

Sounds like you need to take it for a test drive. Everyone has different preferences. I find it unrefined and irritating with the roof up, and fun with it down. But then I normally drive a 5 Series..

My thoughts are the same, although I can never find a 330i with the spec I want, otherwise I'd probably go for that. Yeah I need to test drive. I've only test driven the Fiesta on my list so far. I may even prefer the MX5 over the Z4 (but I doubt it).

Gap between a 5 series and an old shape Mazda 3 is bad enough let alone between a 5 series and a z4

Marvin · 22 Jul 2016 at 19:45

Had a coupe after a roadster and wouldn't do that again if I could go back. As fox said, you lose the main feature and gain a slightly taller boot space and more stiffness. However, the stock roadster is already very stiff so there's not as much benefit.

Just make sure it's a 3.0L or the M for the best experience.

thecremeegg · 22 Jul 2016 at 20:39

I have a 3.0 manual and it's great value for money - the engine is wonderfully smooth and it is actually quite a nice place to be for a 2 seater.
The roof motor is the weak point as mentioned and mine does about 29mg on average over a tank.
One thing to bear in mind is that the standard seats are hopeless for cornering - get the sports ones!

rodenal · 22 Jul 2016 at 21:56

My dad loves his coupe and it's great for stuff like just about being able to take enough Gubbins for 2 for Le mans etc - but youd lose little from a 330i coupe in terms of performance/handling for much more space

Plus roof down driving really can't be beaten

AndrewP · 22 Jul 2016 at 22:58

My 3.0si convertible is actually for sale a bit cheaper than that, but probably a bit far for you, there are actually quite a few similar ones for sale on the Z4 forum - http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=41. £8-9k is a good budget for one, a coupe will be £1-2k more. I've had mine for 4.5 years as my only car, been practical enough for daily usage and still a lot of fun but time for an upgrade/change.

Comfort wise they're OK, 3.0si Sport models (80%+ are Sport rather than SE) all come with electric memory sports seats which are pretty good, ride is acceptable on non-runflat tyres. I've done plenty of long drives without getting particularly uncomfortable, and the optional hardtop gives a bit more headroom/sound deadening etc. Wind deflector helps a lot at higher speeds, and easy to retrofit if required.

The sat-nav is from 2003 so pretty basic but does give some extra media options, heated seats have the obvious benefit but I've never really missed them, same with parking sensors - there's not much car behind you anyway!

On the whole mine has been reliable, the N52 3.0si engine is fairly straightforward (and also fitted in nearly ever other BMW model) with not much in the way of expensive/complicated turbos, direct injection etc. to go wrong. Roof motor, rear springs and window regulators. For a car under 60k miles the proper BMW warranty will be £50-60 per month, though mine's probably cost about half that in work that would have been covered. Servicing is variable, up to 2 years/18k miles and about £2/3/400 for the different ones (they alternate) at a main dealer.

Other alternative that hasn't been mentioned is the 350Z which I also looked at, but it's a bit more of a GT car, heavier etc. Once I decided I wanted a convertible the 350Z was out - I think it looks terrible will a big chopped-off rear deck.